Bismarck ND vs New Bedford MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bismarck
74,146
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 100,731 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 84.8% | 57.5% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.5% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $56,025 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $30,475 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 19.9% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 16.8% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $439,767 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 40.0% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 326 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 36.3% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.2% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 22.0% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 11.1% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 21.4% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 51.8°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 51.9 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 27.2 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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